President declares open Jaffna International Airport
October 17, 2019Turning a new page in the country’s aviation history, President Maithripala Sirisena declared open the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) in the presence of Prime Minister, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, today (17 October).
The airport in Palaly will be Sri Lanka’s third international airport.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General (Retd) SHS Kottegoda, WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc, was also present at this historic occasion. Secretary Defence is also member of the Board of Directors of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
Signifying the inauguration of the Airport, an Indian aircraft landed at the new international airport, today. This new multi billion rupees aviation facility will improve existing connectivity of the country with the rest of the world.
The airport has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 2250 million with the Sri Lankan Government funding Rs. 1950 million while the Government of India had contributed Rs. 300 million for the project which will be completed under three phases. Daily flight operations are scheduled to commence from November.
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Arjuna Ranatunga, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Northern Governor, Parliamentarians, President’s Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, senior state officials, senior Tri Forces officers, Civil Aviation Authority officials and special guests were also present at the occasion.
